Schnarr to succeed Nordhoff as county attorney

Greg Schnarr of Jasper knows that it’s been a while. Art Nordhoff took the Dubois County attorney position 27 years ago, and has held it ever since. So, when Schnarr steps in for Nordhoff in about a month, he also knows he has his work cut out for him.

Schnarr

“Mr. Nordhoff’s been doing it for a long time and brings a lot to the table,” Schnarr said shortly after the announcement. “Of course, in experience, and he’s done a wonderful job. So it is a tall task to fill, I’m sure.”

Monday morning, the Dubois County Commissioners announced Schnarr will take over as the county attorney at the beginning of January. Schnarr’s compensation will match that of the outgoing Nordhoff at approximately $65,000.

Schnarr, 41, attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and religion. He received his doctor of law degree from the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington in 2003, and has worked as an attorney at Rahman Law Office in Ferdinand for 14 years.

“It’s a good opportunity,” Schnarr said when asked what he’s looking forward to in his new role. “Getting into municipal work and helping out the county, local government and its citizens is something I’ve always enjoyed doing. And this is just a new avenue to hopefully do the same.”

He previously served in elected seat on the Jasper Common Council, and was a member of the City of Jasper Utility Service Board’s wastewater subcommittee. In January, Schnarr will also take over as the attorney for the Dubois County Contractual Library Board and Jasper Public Library Board when their current attorney, Bill Shaneyfelt of Shaneyfelt & Bohnenkemper in Jasper, retires.

According to Herald archives, Nordhoff said at a previous commissioners meeting that the county attorney workload had grown to consume more of his time, taking away from his other clients. Nordhoff owns the law office he joined in 1967 with his father, the late Arthur Nordhoff Sr., and uncle, the late Clemence Nordhoff. The firm is now Nordhoff and Cummins Law Office. Even though he is stepping away from the county attorney position, Nordhoff will remain as legal counsel on various boards in the county.

Shortly before the announcement that Schnarr would be the man tasked with replacing Nordhoff, Dubois County Commissioner Chad Blessinger thanked the outgoing attorney for his work.

“Once again, I say I appreciate all your time that you’ve given to the county,” Blessinger said to Nordhoff. “Especially over the last two years, helping me and this board. It means a lot.”